US Ambassador to UN 'insults' South Korea by casting doubt on America attending Winter Olympics

Nikki Haley, US ambassador to the United Nations, speaks during an emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council in November - Getty Images North America

A senior US official has cast doubt on the US team attending the Winter Olympics in South Korea, in comments which were described as “an insult” to Seoul.

US Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley said it was an “open question” whether US athletes would attend the February games, which are being held amid heightened tensions over North Korea.

Asked if it's a "done deal" that they will attend, Ms Haley told Fox News: "There's an open question. I have not heard anything about that.

“But I do know in the talks that we have, whether it's Jerusalem or whether it’s North Korea, it's always about how do we protect the US citizens in the area.”

Richard Bitzinger, a military expert at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies in Singapore, said there could be a case for protecting US athletes from attacks by North Koreans special operation squads who might infiltrate the games.

“But that implies that our South Korean allies aren't up to the job,” he told The Telegraph. “Basically an insult.”

US and South Korea carry out joint drills this weekCredit: Handout/Getty

The Winter Games begin on February 9 in the South Korean city of Pyeongchang.